Gas-Rich Galaxies as Cosmological Probes

Abstract: 

The HI content of nearby galaxies provides important insight into how they form and evolve within the standard cosmology. In this talk, I will highlight some of my group's recent efforts to build statistical samples of HI detections for nearby galaxies to use as cosmological probes. I will first focus on how sensitive single-dish observations of dwarf satellite and ultra-diffuse galaxies are a powerful tool for measuring their structure and constraining formation models. I will then describe how the widefield WALLABY survey on ASKAP is delivering the first spatially-resolved populations of HI disks for comparison with cosmological predictions. This work paves the way for probing HI disks across cosmic time using the SKA when it comes online towards the end of this decade.

Bio:

Kristine Spekkens' research focuses on understanding of the structure and evolution of nearby galaxies in a cosmological context. She is spearheading a variety of projects to help reconcile long-standing discrepancies between the observed properties of spiral galaxies and predictions from galaxy formation theory, and is particularly interested in developing robust techniques for inferring the distribution of dark matter in these systems. Dr. Spekkens is also involved in planning surveys with the next generation of radio telescopes to map the distribution and kinematics of atomic hydrogen in galaxies in diverse environments out to moderate redshifts. Dr. Spekkens' program thus affords graduate students the opportunity to carry out research with the world's largest radio and optical telescopes, and to develop new tools for interpreting the high-quality data obtained from these facilities.

Learn More:

• See her faculty webpage from Queen's University here: Kristine Spekkens | Queen's Astronomy Research Group (queensu.ca)
• Read about her 2022 Cowan prize for Excellence in Research from the Royal Military College of Canada here: 2022 Cowan Prize for Excellence in Research awarded to Dr. Kristine Spekkens (rmc-cmr.ca)
• Watch her youtube video on this topic: "Gas-rich Galaxies as Cosmological Probes" here: Kristine Spekkens : Gas-Rich Galaxies as Cosmological Probes (youtube.com)

Links:

• Read about Galaxy formation and evolution (Harvard & Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics): Galaxy Formation and Evolution | Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian
• Read this Nature article, "Galaxy formation and evolution science in the era of the Large Synoptic survey Telescope": Galaxy formation and evolution science in the era of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope | Nature Reviews Physics
• Find out more about Radio telescopes (National Radio Astronomy Observatory/NRAO): What are Radio Telescopes? – National Radio Astronomy Observatory (nrao.edu)